It is with a heavy heart that we report the passing of AMA Pro Racing rider Tommy Aquino, who died today in a motocross accident at the Piru Ranch MX — Tommy’s local riding spot. Colliding head-on with another rider at around 12:30 pm, Tommy was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Ventura County Star.

Tommy started his racing career back in 2008, at the age of 16. With five seasons in AMA Pro Racing, Tommy finished third in the 2011 Daytona SportBike Championship, with a race win at New Jersey Motorsports Park that season. In 2013, Aquino moved his racing across the pond to Great Britain, riding a superstock machine in the BSB series.

Universally loved for his big hair, great smile, and positive attitude, there are many in the A&R family who were close to Tommy and are grieving tonight. Our thoughts go out to his friends and family. At only 21 years of age Tommy was loved by many, and will be dearly missed by us all.

Great kid with a wonderful supportive family and a huge talent. So sorry to hear this.

article dan

Absolutely gutting. Watched alot of bsb superstock last year and he really was impressive at tracks he’d never seen before. Also huge smile and personality full of charisma he will be missed for sure. :(

proudAmerican

None of us knows how long we’ll inhabit this earth, so enjoy life to the fullest. Each of us only gets one chance to ride this roller coaster we call “life”, so cherish the ride, and enjoy it with those you love.

Back-the-bike-in as you arrive WFO at the Pearly Gates Tommy!

A very sad, unexpected ending to a very young, yet very fulfilled life.

TexusTim

very sad news, condolence’s to his family..RIP Tommy

Prich

Gutted as a fan to hear about Tommy. As a rider, he was an inspiration to me to get on track and push harder to be a better rider. Condolences to his friends and family and competitors in the paddock too. He’ll be missed.

gord lalonde

Terrible news, my condolences to his family, he was a hugely talented star.

Conrice

That’s a huge loss to the MX and road racing community. Godspeed Tommy.

Chaz Michael Michaels

Tragic. Condolences to his family and friends.

I don’t follow motocross very closely. Somebody on another forum claimed to have witnessed the other rider “whiskey throttle” to leave the course and that’s how the collision happened. Does anybody know what that term means?

I remember Tommy coming out to ride with Ti2TT back in ’08/’09. Kid was pretty sick-fast. Really tragic, and he will be missed. RIP Tommy.

KSW

Deepest Sympathies to Carrie and the entire Aquino family Big Hugs to Carrie

ADG

This is a huge bummer. R.I.P. Tommy.

OldBoy

Ugh, this news guts me. Tommy was always upbeat and his enthusiasm and smile was contagious in the paddock and on TV. I always appreciated his lightheartedness in the face of a challenging or high-pressure scenarios. When your job is to win races and you don’t find yourself on pole at the start of a race, things can easily turn into a job instead of focusing on the reason you started racing…to have fun.

Tommy’s passing reminds me that we have no guarantees in this world and to live in the moment because that is all we have. My love goes to out to Tommy’s family and remind them that they shared their son with the world and let him shine in the best possible way.

Jack

I met Tommy outside of motorcycles. What a great guy. If only more of us could be more like him. What a loss to this world.